Project stalled for eight years set to take off

Initially, the Air Force had refused to provide a 980 sqft unused land to the state government stalling the project. Based on this, Rajendran had moved the PIL. 

In the status report filed by the air force, it was submitted that the force approached NABARD for the transfer of land in lieu of government land contiguous to the air force station in Tambaram or on payment of prevailing market price. But, going by the market value of the land as Rs 1,600 per sqft as suggested by NABARD, the cost for 980 sqft worked out to Rs 5.54 crore. But since the value of the project itself was Rs 4.70 crore, the proposal was found to be unfeasible. 

Subsequently, on August 18, 2017, the Kancheepuram Collector has proposed to transfer equal valued land located 500 metres from the air force station. The proposal is under consideration and a final decision would be taken shortly, the report added. 

This apart, the Chief Minister has also written a letter to the Defence Minister for early enter upon permission to commence the project, the court was informed. Also, as the petitioner sought to withdraw the PIL in view of the development, the court recorded the same and dismissed the plea as withdrawn.